Surf Life Saving SA has completed the first season in the new state-of-the-art SLS State Operations Centre (SOC). Formerly SurfCom, the new centre, redeveloped in time for the 2022 summer, provides SLS members and the community with a vital service skilled in incident coordination, logistics and reporting, to create safer beaches, recommend resource allocation and support the organisation’s mission of zero preventable deaths in South Australian waters.
Operated by the SOC Team, a specialist team within the volunteer SLSSA Emergency Operations Group, the State Operations Centre offers increased space and resources for SOC Operators to support surf clubs and other emergency services, from routine tasks to large search and rescue operations. The SOC also manages frontline operational technology used by surf clubs, including tablets, Operations App and Coastal Radio Network, and works closely with SLS State Operations Centres interstate to ensure our members have the best tools available.
The State Operations Centre is operational from 9am until 6pm on regular patrolling days, during hot weather conditions and can be activated at any time for out of hours emergencies. The SOC is the 24/7 point of contact for the Surf Emergency Response System (13 SURF), for all emergency service requests from other agencies.
This dynamic approach to operations and incident response in a new space was critical just a few months following the redevelopment, where it became a crucial improvement to SLS capability for inland waters when the State Operations Centre was designated by the Lifesaving Department as the emergency management hub for the SLS response to the 2022 River Murray Flooding event, providing critical planning, deployment, resource coordination, operations, logistics and reporting functions to the flood deployment team, Incident Commander (Duty Officer) and Lifesaving Department, in addition to the existing emergency service liaison functions. This highlights the challenging opportunity that the SOC Team presents to any member interested in this Lifesaving Pathway.
State Operations Centre Video Wall showing a range of situational awareness tools to support patrol operations
To further drive the effectiveness of the resources supporting our mission of achieving zero preventable drownings in South Australia, earlier this year Surf Life Saving SA introduced the Coastal Safety Camera Network which helps the State Operations Centre to detect persons in difficulty earlier, improve public safety and save more lives through several Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) cameras. The system has already been rolled out to four surf clubs located at strategic locations, including black spot areas, with more locations to be introduced later this year.
The State Operations Centre has become a local centre for excellence in innovation and technology, encompassing ground breaking, modern approaches to search and rescue, public safety and Surf Life Saving. The SOC has also become an important resource for our members, offering a purpose built space for realistic training by offering assistance with Bronze Medallion and Radio Operator Certificate awards to surf clubs, in the form of SOC Operators to provide subject matter expertise and realism. The SOC also contributes to the new Silver Medallion Patrol Captain Course in which Patrol Captains are introduced to the State Operations Centre role alongside the Duty Officer Team with a tour of the facility as part of the course, showcasing the resources available to Patrol Captains, Duty Officers and emergency services for regular patrol operations and incidents.
The SOC Team has a role for everyone – there are several areas in which you may have skills that are valuable to the team, and you don’t need any water based awards to join the team. This includes system management, incident management, administration, technical capability, and radio operator skills. This is a great time to join a growing team that is passionate about improving SLS capabilities, supporting surf clubs and developing high performing teams.
Expressions of Interest to join the State Operations Centre are now open. Submit an expression of interest to join the team. Closes 1 September 2023.
To organise a SOC Tour for your surf club, request support for courses or to join the team, contact the State Operations Centre at soc@surflifesavingsa.com.au or contact the Lifesaving Department.